REDETE is an established network that attracts high numbers of local and international researchers, policy makers and entrepreneurs. It generates knowledge transfer activity and enjoys support from governmental and non-governmental organisations. Local students benefit from internships and apprenticeships and PhD researchers participate in international research projects.
One of the major events taking place during the REDETE Annual Conferences is the Business Forum (B2B) in partnership with the Enterprise European Network the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Network is currently active in more than 60 countries worldwide and though this partnership REDETE opened up employment pathwaysfor local students. Whereas in 2012 only a mere 14% out of approximately 3,000 graduates from the University of Banja Luka was in local employment straight after graduation, in 2019 employability rates rose to 50%, a nearly fourfold increase. Similary, at the Faculty (of Economics) level, out of approximately 180 graduates every year since 2012 only a 23% could be found in full-time employment after graduation. In 2019 this had risen to 85%. Similar progression data for the respective years are recorded in the MA degrees of the Faculty of Economics (70 students). REDETE in partnership with the EEN and under the advice of Professor Fouskas, brings together 3,000 experts from more than 600 member organisations – all renowned for their excellence in business support.
The REDETE Conference generates income to the tune of 50,000 Euros a year, which is recycled via studentships and seed funding for local research projects. Sponsors include local and international banks, Telecom companies, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Education of the Republic of SRPSKA, Routledge-Taylor & Francis (a major international publisher based in the UK publishing the Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies) and other local SMEs. Member organisations of REDETE include: technology poles, innovation support organisations, universities and research institutes, regional development organisations, chambers of commerce and industry. The REDETE network and its professional annual conference are excellent opportunities for businesses from BiH, the Western Balkans and countries from the EU and Central/Eastern Europe to meet business partners and get support from local business experts and policy-makers. Through these civic engagement activities, local society has moved on to substantive cooperation and reconciliation, increasingly making conflict a thing of the past.